Locking device for switches.



B. D HORTON.

LOOKING DEVICE FOR SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1. 1913.

1,129,570. 7 Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

wi/f/nwoeo I 5 vwe nliz BRYSON D. HORTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

LOCKING .nnvicn r03, sw rcims Application filed November 1, 1913. Serial N0.'798,680Q

To all whom it may concern: D

Be it known that I, BRYSON D. HORTON,

a citizenof the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and'State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inv Locking Devices for Switches, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying sheet ed in the cover and adapted to reciprocate.

of drawings, is a full, clear, and concise description. v

This invention relates more particularly to electrical switches of the iron clad type, in which switch contacts are mounted within a metallic casing. In one type of switch of this general character, the stationary contacts are fastened to the base of the receptacle, while the cooperating movable contacts are attached to and carried by a hinged cover, a suitable operating member extending through the cover to. permit of exterior manipulation. 7

The principal object of my invention is to provide a locking mechanism, cooperating with the exterior operating member of the switch, to lock the contacts in separated or oil position, by preventing the movement of the operating member, when the lock mechanism is applied thereto.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an iron clad switch incorporating my present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view thereof taken on lines aa of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view in plan of the operating member, together with the cooperating lock mechanism.

In detail the'iron clad switch comprises a metallic housing, consisting of a body or receptacle portion 1. and a cover or top por-' tion 2 suitably hinged at 3 to the body portion. Mounted upon the base of the receptacle 1 is a block of insulating material 4 carrying the stationary jaw contacts 5. Mounttherethrough are reciprocating plungers 6 carrying at their inner ends a cross-head 7 to which are attached knife blade contacts 8. At the opposite endsof the plungers 6 is a cross-head 9 held in place by suitable nuts 10. llhis cross-head has formed integral.

therewith a knob or handle 11 by means of which the movable contacts are operated. 1212 indicate bosses or extensions forming bearings for the plungers. These extensions are formed integral with the top 2 of the receptacle. It will be understood that when the-handle 11 is operated to bring the contacts into cooperative position the crosshead 9 will rest upon the extensions 12, the latter serving to limit the downward movement of the mechanism. When the elec trical connection is broken between the contacts the handle is pulled outwardly reciprocating the plungers 10 in like direction. Thus a gap is created between the extensions 12 and the cross-head 9. In this gap between the extensions and crosshead I position a U shape metallic member of spring like vmaterial 13 of sumcient size to substantially envelop the plun gers 6 at the same time engaging the extensions 12 and cross-head 9. This metallic member 13 is provided with perforations or apertures 14 adjacent the free ends, but terminating inwardly of the outer edge of the plunger 6, which is nearest the said free ends, so that the bow 15 of a suitable pad lock may be inserted in such manner as to straddle the said plunger. When the U shape member 13 is so positioned and the lock manipulated in the manner described, the plungers are prevented from being reciprocated in their usual manner for mak-' ing connection between thecontacts within the receptacle. Thus effective locking means is provided for the switch to prevent unauthorized manipulation. The pad lock and U shape locking plate are connected together by means of a suitable chain '16 preventing their separation and the possible loss of one or the other.

While I have described one specific form as limited to the precise details of construc- Specification of was Patent. P t m 33, 1 .5,

y of locking mechanism for accomplishing the tion shown and described, but on the contrary wish to reserve to myself a fair range of equivalents commensurate with the scope of the appended claims and the state of the existing prior art.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new herein-and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A look device for looking a member which reciprocates in and out of a casing in its outwardly reciprocated position comprising a pair of members provided with apertured free ends adapted to cooperate with the reciprocating member, and a lock adapted to pass through the apertures in the ends and around the reciprocating member and prevent movement thereof" 2. In combination with members mounted 5 to reciprocate in and out of a casing, a lock device adapted to cooperate therewith to lock said members in outwardly reciprocated,

position, comprising a substantially U- shaped member provided with alined aperi'o tures extending through and adjacent the free ends thereof and a removablelock provided with a bow adapted to pass through the apertures and extend around the free endsthereof, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto-set 15 my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses this 29th day of October, 1913.

BRYSON D. HORTON.

Witnesses:-

HARRY S. FREEMAN, IGNATIUS W. KAHN. 

